Enhancing Victory with the Pokémon TCG Pocket Arcanine Build
The latest event in Pokémon TCG Pocket challenges players to achieve a remarkable feat: winning five consecutive battles, breaking from the previous model that focused merely on achieving a specified number of wins. While this new requirement can be daunting—especially considering how unpredictable coin-flipping cards can be—an effective Arcanine ex deck has been crafted to help players clinch those victories.
In the current competitive landscape, many players gravitate toward top-tier decks, frequently opting for cards like Articuno ex, Starmie ex, or Charizard ex. This trend often leads to the underestimation of decks built around lower-tier cards such as Arcanine ex. Notably, the Arcanine ex deck discussed here only experienced one defeat while winning the recent event, making it a compelling alternative for players struggling with their existing setups.
Constructing an Arcanine ex Deck
Various Approaches to Building Arcanine ex Decks
A standout feature of the Arcanine ex card is its low energy requirement, allowing for powerful attacks without the risk of energy depletion post-attack. This design enables Arcanine to be more consistent and faster than some builds reliant on Mewtwo ex, making it a robust mid-range choice between aggressive and more gradual decks like Charizard ex.
To enhance attack speed, this deck incorporates two Moltres ex cards. Given that Growlithe requires just one evolution to attain Arcanine ex, deploying Moltres ex early can enable players to deal 120 damage as early as their third turn. Giovanni Supporter cards can further amplify this output to 130 damage, effectively knocking out stronger Pokémon.
|
Card |
Quantity |
|---|---|
|
Growlithe |
2 |
|
Arcanine ex |
2 |
|
Sizzlipede |
1 |
|
Centiskorch |
1 |
|
Moltres ex |
2 |
|
Potion |
2 |
|
X Speed |
2 |
|
Poké Ball |
2 |
|
Professor’s Research |
2 |
|
John |
2 |
|
Sabrina |
2 |
While some players opt to include two Red Card cards to disrupt opponents, this tactic can often backfire by giving them better options. Instead, this Arcanine ex configuration utilizes Sizzlipede and Centiskorch for greater stability. Although Centiskorch takes longer to ramp up its attacks, it serves as a resilient secondary option when Arcanine ex is building momentum.
Strategic Insights for the Arcanine ex Deck
Resilience and Strike-First Strategy
In the initial phases of a match, the focus should lie on charging up either Growlithe or Sizzlipede with energy. The goal is to unleash an early Moltres ex to absorb damage while distributing energy among the Pokémon. In unfortunate situations where players face poor draws, prioritizing energy accumulation on one Pokémon in anticipation of an evolution can be beneficial. Among the two, Sizzlipede offers a better option to absorb initial damage than Growlithe, given that Centiskorch has a lower likelihood of being drawn compared to Arcanine ex and makes for a slower attacker.
While Moltres ex is essential for soaking damage, it’s equally crucial not to allow it to be knocked out carelessly. Allowing Arcanine ex to take the hit usually proves more advantageous than conceding two prize points to the opponent. Players should feel free to utilize X Speeds from the start if it means swapping a weaker starting Pokémon for a newly drawn Moltres ex, as managing energy consumption is vital for the deck’s overall success.
This deck excels at eliminating opposing Pokémon before they can evolve. Once either Arcanine ex or Centiskorch is primed to attack, it’s time to retreat Moltres ex and begin dealing damage. Avoid using Moltres ex for fighting since its attack is not value-driven for its energy expenditure. Utilize Sabrina cards to swap early-stage Pokémon to prevent them from evolving into significant threats for Arcanine ex or Centiskorch.
Navigating Key Matchups
Successful Counterplay Against Meta Decks
This Arcanine ex deck must prepare for competitive matchups, particularly against those featuring Articuno ex and Starmie ex. This combination presents a notable type disadvantage, as key cards may remain out of reach for a single knockout from Arcanine ex. Fortunately, since Moltres ex is vulnerable to lightning rather than water, it can still function effectively as damage absorber. In this matchup, allowing Moltres ex to be knocked out might be strategically viable if it lets players capitalize on damaging Starmie ex or Articuno ex with Giovanni’s support.
This deck functions as an effective counter to Charizard ex-based decks, often sharing a similar composition but benefiting from faster evolution. When facing Charizard ex, players should focus on taking out Charmanders and Charmeleons effectively, utilizing Sabrina to bring them in at appropriate moments while de-emphasizing Moltres ex initially, as it can be handled later in the match.
Confronting Pikachu ex decks can present challenges due to their ability to defeat Moltres ex quickly. To navigate this matchup, it may be advantageous to populate the bench efficiently. Concentrate on energizing one Pokémon to evolve while utilizing the other basic Pokémon as sacrifices. Being down by two points can be manageable in Pokémon TCG Pocket, particularly as Arcanine ex can retaliate effectively, potentially taking out Pikachu ex while absorbing hits from an additional foe. A well-timed flip from Zapdos may prove problematic, but with strategy, this matchup can be successfully navigated.
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